In numbers

Damien MacRae would rather blend in with the crowd, but these days, with a large blue-and-silver umbrella over his head in sunny weather, he attracts plenty of stares.

"When I'm walking down the street, people look at me," the 43-year-old said. "I haven't had anyone come up to me and ask 'Why do you have an umbrella?' but I'm looking forward to that moment when I get to explain."

Mr MacRae, with the support of Cancer Council Australia and Melanoma Institute Australia, is on a mission to get more Australians using umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun's deadly UV-rays.

Damien MacRae wants to see more Australians protect themselves from the sun using an umbrella.Credit:Louise Kennerley

The Sydney lawyer was diagnosed with skin cancer five years ago. Doctors removed the melanoma from his left ear, but it manifested in his lungs and later brain. In a last ditch effort, he is receiving immunotherapy.

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Ever since the diagnosis, he has taken sun protection seriously - slipping on protective clothing, slopping on sunscreen, slapping on a hat and seeking the "mobile shade" of a UV blocking umbrella.

Living in the sunburnt country, he's puzzled why so many Australians are reluctant to use umbrellas or parasols on an everyday basis, which would reduce their risk of skin cancer.

In sunny weather, most Australians tend to only open an umbrella at the beach.

"I've spoken to women who said they want to use one but they've been mercilessly mocked in the past - by women, by men - even on 40 degree days," he said.

"It's a peer pressure thing. The typical white Aussie male sees it as a challenge to their masculinity and I laugh because if I can do it, you should be able to do it."